Potting system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to mechanics, and more specifically, to a potting system. In one embodiment, the invention includes a potting system including one or more bands; and one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or more bands. In a further embodiment, the one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or more bands includes one or more pots configured to link with adjacent pots.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/250,298 filed Oct. 9, 2009 (our ref.ACHN-1-1001). The foregoing application is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to mechanics, and more specifically, toa potting system.

SUMMARY

This invention relates generally to mechanics, and more specifically, toa potting system. In one embodiment, the invention includes a pottingsystem including one or more bands; and one or more pots configured tosuspend from the one or more bands. In a further embodiment, the one ormore pots configured to suspend from the one or more bands includes oneor more pots configured to link with adjacent pots. In one embodiment,the invention includes a potting system including one or more potsconfigured to suspend from one or more bands, wherein the one or morepots configured to suspend from one or more bands includes one or morepots configured to link with adjacent pots. In one embodiment, theinvention includes a potting system including one or more potsconfigured to suspend from one or more structures, wherein the one ormore pots configured to suspend from one or more structures includes oneor more pots configured to link with adjacent pots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a potting system, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2-5 are perspective views of pots having alternative suspensionmechanisms for use in a potting system, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of alternatively shaped pots for usein a potting system, in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention;

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views of a potting system in association withalternative structures, in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention; and

APPENDIX A includes examples of a potting system, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention relates generally to mechanics, and more specifically, toa potting system. Specific details of certain embodiments of theinvention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-10and APPENDIX A to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments.The present invention may have additional embodiments, may be practicedwithout one or more of the details described for any particulardescribed embodiment, or may have any detail described for oneparticular embodiment practiced with any other detail described foranother embodiment.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a potting system 100, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a potting system100 includes one or more bands 101; and one or more pots 102 configuredto suspend from the one or more bands 101 using a suspension mechanism108. In some embodiments, a potting system 100 includes one or more pots102 configured to link with adjacent pots using a linking mechanism 104and/or 106.

In some embodiments, one or more bands 101 are an elongated structure,plate-like structure, or other similar structure. In some embodiments,one or more bands 101 are composed of a flexible material, such asplastic, leather, metal, or other similar material. In some embodiments,one or more bands 101 include one or more linear bands (FIG. 1). In someembodiments, one or more bands 101 include one or more curvilinear orangled bands. For example, one or more bands 101 may define a sine-likewave or other regular or irregular curve. Alternatively, one or morebands 101 may define a zig-zag line or other regular or irregular angle.In some embodiments, one or more bands 101 include a malleable band thatmay assume a variety of customized lines, curves, or angles. In someembodiments, one or more bands 101 include one or more bands configuredto tensionally wrap around a structure using a locking mechanism 103(FIGS. 7-9). For example, one or more bands 101 may include anintegrated gear rack with a ratchet within a small case opening as alocking mechanism 103. Alternatively, one or more bands 101 may includea buckle, snap, button, hook and loop fastener, magnet, or other similarfastener as a locking mechanism 103. In some embodiments, one or morebands 101 may be configured to fasten to a structure (FIG. 10). Forexample, one or more bands 101 may be configured to fasten to astructure using clips, hooks, nails, staples, adhesive, or other similarmethodology. In some embodiments, one or more bands 101 include one ormore extensible bands. For example, one or more bands 101 may includetelescoping portions. Alternatively, one or more bands 101 may include amechanism to link adjacent bands, such as using an integrated gear rackwith a ratchet within a small case opening, a buckle, snap, button, hoopand loop fastener, magnet, or other similar fastener. In someembodiments, one or more bands 101 are omitted.

In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to link withadjacent pots using a linking mechanism 104 and/or 106 to define a chainof pots (FIG. 10). For example, one or more pots 102 may be configuredto link with adjacent pots using opposing male and female connectors asa linking mechanism 104 and/or 106. Alternatively, one or more pots 102may be configured to link with adjacent pots using a snap, button, hoopand loop fastener, magnet, or other similar fastener. Additionally, oneor more pots 102 may be configured to link with adjacent pots using aconnection that is optionally severable. Moreover, one or more pots 102may be configured to link with adjacent pots using an elastic ring-set.In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to link withadjacent pots using a linking mechanism 104 and/or 106 to define a ringor grouping of pots (FIGS. 7-9). For example, one or more pots 102 maybe configured to link with adjacent pots using a linking mechanism 104and/or 106 to define a circular, oval, or elliptical ring.Alternatively, one or more pots 102 may be configured to link withadjacent pots using a linking mechanism 104 and/or 106 to define asquare, triangle, rectangle, or other similar regular or irregulargrouping. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured tolink with adjacent pots horizontally (FIG. 10). For example, one or morepots 102 may be configured to link with adjacent pots horizontally intwo or three dimensions, such as along a porch railing. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to link with adjacentpots vertically or angularly. For example, one or more pots 102 may beconfigured to link with adjacent pots vertically or angularly in two orthree dimensions, such as along stairs.

FIGS. 2-5 are perspective views of pots having alternative suspensionmechanisms for use in a potting system, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102are configured to suspend from one or more bands using one or more hooks108 (FIG. 1). For example, one or more pots 102 may be configured tosuspend from one or more bands using a narrow hook, an elongated hook,or a series of hooks 108. Additionally, one or more pots 102 may beconfigured to suspend from a top, middle, or bottom portion of one ormore bands using one or more hooks 108. Furthermore, one or more pots102 may be configured to suspend from one or more bands using one ormore downward, sideward, upward, or multi-direction hooks. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend from one ormore bands using one or more concave hooks 208. For example, one or morepots 102 may be configured to suspend from one or more bands around acurved surface using one or more concave hooks 208. In some embodiments,one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend from one or more bandsusing one or more flat hooks 308. For example, one or more pots 102 maybe configured 120 to suspend from one or more bands along a flat surfaceusing one or more flat hooks 308. In some embodiments, one or more pots102 are configured to suspend from one or more bands using one or moreeverted hooks 408. For example, one or more pots 102 may be configuredto suspend from one or more bands at an inside corner using one or moreeverted hooks 408. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 areconfigured to suspend from one or more bands using one or more invertedhooks 508. For example, one or more pots 102 may be configured tosuspend from one or more bands at an outside corner using one or moreinverted hooks 508. Additionally, one or more pots 102 may be configuredto suspend from one or more bands along a variable surface using acombination of concave hooks 208, flat hooks 308, everted hooks 408, andinverted hooks 508 (FIG. 10). In some embodiments, one or more pots 102are configured to suspend from one or more bands using one or moresubstantially linear, curvilinear, or angled hooks. For example, one ormore pots 102 may be configured to suspend from one or more horizontallyoriented bands using one or more linear hooks. Additionally, one or morepots 102 may be configured to suspend from one or more curvilinearoriented bands using one or more curvilinear hooks (e.g. such as toprovide upright pot orientation on a band curving up a surface).Furthermore, one or more pots 102 may be configured to suspend from oneor more angle oriented bands using one or more angled hooks (e.g. suchas to provide upright pot orientation on a band zigzagging on asurface). In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured tosuspend from one or more bands using one or more modifiable, movable,rotatable, shiftable, slidable, or adjustable hooks. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend from astructure without one or more bands using one or more hooks 108.

In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend fromone or more bands using one or more fasteners. For example, one or morepots 102 may be configured to suspend from one or more bands using abuckle, snap, button, hook and loop fastener, magnet, nail, rivet,staple, screw, bolt, or other similar fastener. In some embodiments, oneor more pots 102 may be configured to suspend from one or more bandsusing a connection that is optionally severable, rotatable, shiftable,or slidable (e.g. one or more pots 102 may be substantially permanentlyconnected to one or more bands). In some embodiments, one or more pots102 may be configured to suspend from a structure without one or morebands using one or more fasteners.

In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 having a concave portion 209are configured to suspend from one or more bands. For example, one ormore pots 102 having a concave portion 209 may be configured to suspendfrom one or more bands around a curved surface. In some embodiments, oneor more pots 102 having a flat portion 309 are configured to suspendfrom one or more bands. For example, one or more pots 102 having a flatportion 309 may be configured to suspend from one or more bands along aflat surface. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 having aneverted portion 409 are configured to suspend from one or more bands.For example, one or more pots 102 having an everted portion 409 may beconfigured to suspend from one or more bands at an inside corner. Insome embodiments, one or more pots 102 having an inverted portion 509are configured to suspend from one or more bands. For example, one ormore pots 102 having an inverted portion 509 may be configured tosuspend from one or more bands at an outside corner. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 having a shaped portion may beconfigured to suspend from a structure without one or more bands.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of alternatively shaped pots for usein a potting system, in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 having a squareshape are configured to suspend from one or more bands. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 having a circular, rectangle, or otherregular or irregular shape are configured to suspend from one or morebands. For example, one or more pots 102 may have a shape configured tosuspend from one or more bands around a post or beam. Additionally, oneor more pots 102 may have a shape configured to suspend from one or morebands along stairs. Furthermore, one or more pots 102 may have a shapeconfigured to suspend from one or more bands along window bars. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 having a shape may be configured tosuspend from a structure without one or more bands.

In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend fromone or more bands to define a combined square shape. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend from one ormore bands to define a combined circular, rectangle, or other regular orirregular shape. For example, one or more pots 102 may be configured tosuspend from one or more bands around a tree to define a combinedcircular shape. Additionally, one or more pots 102 may be configured tosuspend from one or more bands around a porch beam to define a combinedsquare shape. Furthermore, one or more pots 102 may be configured tosuspend from one or more bands along stairs to define a combinedstair-like shape. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 may beconfigured to suspend from a structure without one or more bands todefine a combined shape.

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective views of a potting system in association withalternative structures, in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured tosuspend from one or more bands around a tree 810. In some embodiments,one or more pots 102 may be configured to suspend from one or more bandsaround a bush, branch, water well, building column, flag pole, electricpole, lamp post, or some other similar structure. In some embodiments,one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend from one or more bandsaround a post 910. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 may beconfigured to suspend from one or more bands around a building beam, afence post, a porch column, or some other similar structure. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to suspend from one ormore bands horizontally on a beam 1010. In some embodiments, one or morepots 102 are configured to suspend from one or more bands vertically orangularly on a structure. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 maybe configured to suspend from one or more bands below a window, on aporch railing, aside a door, along a wall, along a fence, along a roofline, or some other similar structure. In some embodiments, one or morepots 102 are configured to suspend from a structure without one or morebands. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured tosuspend from a structure using one or more extensions. In someembodiments, one or more extensions are adjustably extendable andretractable.

In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to include awatering or sprinkling mechanism. For example, the water or sprinklingmechanism may be configured to draw water from a reservoir or to couplewith a hose. In some embodiments, a water or sprinkling mechanismincludes a control system, such as to allow control of water timing andvolume. In some embodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured toinclude one or more lights, such as for safety or decoration. In someembodiments, one or more pots 102 are configured to include one or moresolar cells for providing renewable power, such as for use with a wateror sprinkling system, a control system, or lighting.

While preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosureof these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the inventionshould be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

1. A potting system comprising: one or more bands; and one or more potsconfigured to suspend from the one or more bands.
 2. The potting systemof claim 1, wherein the one or more bands comprises: one or more linear,curvilinear, or angled bands.
 3. The potting system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more bands comprises: one or more bands configured totensionally wrap around a structure.
 4. The potting system of claim 1,wherein the one or more bands comprises: one or more bands configured tofasten to a structure.
 5. The potting system of claim 1, wherein the oneor more bands comprises: one or more extensible bands.
 6. The pottingsystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more pots configured to suspendfrom the one or more bands comprises: one or more pots configured tolink with adjacent pots.
 7. The potting system of claim 6, wherein theone or more pots configured to link with adjacent pots comprises: one ormore pots configured to link with adjacent pots to define a chain, ring,or grouping of pots.
 8. The potting system of claim 6, wherein the oneor more pots configured to link with adjacent pots comprises: one ormore pots configured to link with adjacent pots horizontally,vertically, or angularly.
 9. The potting system of claim 1, wherein theone or more pots configured to suspend from the one or more bandscomprises: one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or morebands using one or more hooks.
 10. The potting system of claim 9,wherein the one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or morebands using one or more hooks comprises: one or more pots configured tosuspend from the one or more bands using one or more concave, flat,inverted, everted hooks.
 11. The potting system of claim 9, wherein theone or more pots configured to suspend from the one or more bands usingone or more hooks comprises: one or more pots configured to suspend fromthe one or more bands using one or more substantially linear,curvilinear, or angled hooks.
 12. The potting system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or more bandscomprises: one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or morebands using one or more fasteners.
 13. The potting system of claim 1,wherein the one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or morebands comprises: one or more pots having a concave, flat, inverted, oreverted portion configured to suspend from the one or more bands. 14.The potting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more pots configuredto suspend from the one or more bands comprises: one or more pots havinga circular, square, rectangle, or other regular or irregular shapeconfigured to suspend from the one or more bands.
 15. The potting systemof claim 1, wherein the one or more pots configured to suspend from theone or more bands comprises: one or more pots configured to suspend fromthe one or more bands to define a combined circular, square, rectangle,or other regular or irregular shape.
 16. The potting system of claim 1,wherein the one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or morebands comprises: one or more pots configured to suspend from the one ormore bands around a structure.
 17. The potting system of claim 1,wherein the one or more pots configured to suspend from the one or morebands comprises: one or more pots configured to suspend from the one ormore bands horizontally, vertically, or angularly on a structure.
 18. Apotting system comprising: one or more pots configured to suspend fromone or more bands, wherein the one or more pots configured to suspendfrom one or more bands includes one or more pots configured to link withadjacent pots.
 19. A potting system comprising: one or more potsconfigured to suspend from one or more structures, wherein the one ormore pots configured to suspend from one or more structures includes oneor more pots configured to link with adjacent pots.